A woman from Victorville died Monday afternoon in a four-vehicle crash on Highway 166, east of Santa Maria, that also sent three patients to local hospitals, the California Highway Patrol announced on Tuesday. 

At approximately 12:45 p.m. Monday, emergency crews from several agencies were dispatched to the collision west of Tepusquet Road.  

A 2017 Chevy Silverado was traveling east on Highway 166 when the driver started to overtake traffic using the opposing lane, slamming head-on into a westbound 2003 Chevy Tahoe, according to CHP Officer Maria Barriga.

The crash caused fatal injuries to the 28-year-old woman in the Silverado’s front passenger seat. 

Release of her name was pending notification of family members.

A 2018 Toyota Corolla traveling westbound behind the Tahoe could not avoid hitting the wrecked vehicles. 

The impact of the crash caused a bicycle on the back of the Tahoe to become detached and strike an eastbound 2023 Nissan Titan, Barriga added.

The Tahoe’s driver, Manuel Aguilera, 52, of Bakersfield, was transported by medical helicopter to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital for treatment of major injuries.

The Silverado’s driver, Arturo Garcia, 28, of Victorville, was taken to Marian Regional Medical Center by ground ambulance for treatment of major injuries. 

A third driver, Crystal Nunez, 34, of San Jose, who was in the Corolla, received minor injuries and also was taken to Marian.

The Nissan driver, Lance Rodriguez, 40, of Huntington Park, was not hurt, the CHP said.

Details on the conditions of the injured were not available on Tuesday.

The highway was closed for a time Monday afternoon while emergency crews were at the scene and investigated the incident.